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Creative Director Salary in California, United States
How much does a Creative Director make in California, United States?
$164,130 (USD)/year
Average Bonus
$4,957 (USD)
per Year
Total Compensation
$167,091.73
Entry Level
$119,052
Median
$162,135
Senior Level
$199,512
As of July, 23, 2026, the average creative director gross salary in California, United States is $164,130 or an equivalent hourly rate of $79. In addition, creative directors earn an average bonus of $4,957. An entry level creative director with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $119,052. At the higher end of the pay range, a senior level creative director with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $199,512. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in California, United States.
Data powered by ERI
Salary Potential for a Creative Director
Explore the estimated salary growth for a Creative Director in California, United States for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of a Creative Director will be $168,365 in 1 year and $186,427 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$172,710
Average Growth
5.2 %
The estimated salary for a Creative Director in 2 years is $172,710, which is 5.2 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.
Typical Creative Director Education
This chart displays the highest level of education for Creative Directors.
- 0% of Creative Directors have less than a High School Diploma
- 8% of Creative Directors have a High School Diploma
- 8% of Creative Directors have an Associate's Degree
- 62% of Creative Directors have a Bachelor's Degree
- 22% of Creative Directors have a Master's Degree
- 0% of Creative Directors have a Doctorate Degree
The typical field of study for a Creative Director is Advertising.
See how education can impact your salaryPopular Skills for a Creative Director
Coordinates workers
96%
Project management
11%
Manages staff
2%
SEO
2%
These are the most popular skills for Creative Directors. About 96% of Creative Directors have a skill in Coordinates workers. The top 3 most popular skills for Creative Directors are coordinates workers, project management, and manages staff.
See how skills can impact your salaryAre you getting paid what you're worth?
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Where can a Creative Director earn more?
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Creative Director Salaries in Other Locations
Salaries for Similar Job Titles in California, United States
Data not available.
Creative Director Jobs
View moreCost of Living in California, United States
The cost of living in California, United States is 40% higher than the national average.
40% higher
than the national average
Whether you're planning to move or just want to see the cost of living in different locations, our cost-of-living calculator is the place to start. Compare salaries for other locations by city, U.S. ZIP code, state, or country.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Creative Director do?
Develops basic presentation approaches and directs layout design and copy writing for promotional material, such as books, magazines, newspapers, television, posters, and packaging: reviews materials and information presented by client and discusses various production factors to determine most desirable presentation concept. Confers with heads of art, copy writing, and production departments to discuss client requirements and scheduling, outline basic presentation concepts, and coordinate creative activities. Reviews and approves art and copy materials developed by staff and presents final layouts to client for approval.
How much does a Creative Director make in California, United States?
The average salary for a Creative Director is $164,130 per year or $78.91 per hour in California, United States. Top earners have reported making up to $199,512. However, the typical pay range in California, United States is between $119,052 and $199,512 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for a Creative Director?
Creative Director is projected to see a 13.6 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer?
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career.
What are some factors that impact Creative Director salaries?
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.
About Our Data
This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.
ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.
Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.
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